As has been done for very many years a wreath was laid at the Mercury War Memorial in the St Andrews Churchyard, Hamble-le-Rice on Remembrance Sunday, 11th November. On this occasion we decided to extend an invitation to all former members of the Old Boys’ Association to attend. It is pleasing to report that this was well attended.
The previous evening a number of us met at the Chilworth Manor Hotel, on the edge of Southampton for a dinner and a very convivial evening. On Sunday we all convened by our memorial where, as the former chairman, I laid a wreath in commemoration of the old boys who gave their lives in both World Wars. We were then invited to join the parishioners in the church hall and were given the opportunity to see the stain glass window in the church, depicting the old ship, the Book of Remembrance and the Crucifix that once adorned the Theatre. At that time too, the chairman of the Parish Council gave me a letter formally accepting their responsibility for maintaining the memorial on the slipway which has been recently repaired by a local resident, Eric White, to whom we are most grateful.
We then finished up with an excellent lunch at the Whyte Harte pub in the village.
Those attending were Snowy White (4151) & daughter; David (4587) & Sue Hathorn; Robin (4594) & Donna Craft; Tony Nicholls (4600); Chris Flatley (4634); Bill Wilkinson (4655); Mick Cross (4658); Bob Millington (4678); Michael Loveridge (4684); John Martin (4698); David (4709) & Nancy Parsons; David (4765) & Marjorie Sayer; Richard (4920) & Arbi Briggs; Barbara Ball (widow of Mike Ball (4500); and Kate Dawes (former Parish Clerk). My thanks especially to Kate for organising the lunch and also laying our wreath when none of us have been available.
Following the success of this, all being well, I will endeavour to organise this again in 2026.
David Parsons (4709)
